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Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls Recipe with Oats and Dark Chocolate for Healthy Snacks

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These easy no-bake pumpkin protein balls combine oats, pumpkin puree, and dark chocolate for a quick, nutritious, and delicious snack perfect for busy days or post-workout fuel.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (135g) rolled oats (old-fashioned preferred)
  • ½ cup (120ml) pumpkin puree (canned, not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ½ cup (45g) protein powder (vanilla or unflavored whey or plant-based)
  • ⅓ cup (60g) dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or higher, optional but recommended)
  • ½ cup (125g) natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) maple syrup (or honey)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix 1 ½ cups rolled oats, ½ cup protein powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until spices are evenly distributed (about 2 minutes).
  2. Add ½ cup pumpkin puree, ½ cup natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the dry mix. Stir thoroughly until evenly moistened (3-4 minutes).
  3. Gently fold in ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips, being careful not to overmix to avoid melting the chips.
  4. Using your hands, scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll into balls. Place on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. You should get around 15-18 balls. Wet hands slightly if mixture is sticky.
  5. Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up and hold their shape.
  6. Store the protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

If mixture is too wet, add an extra tablespoon of oats. If too dry, add a splash of almond milk. Use good quality dark chocolate chips to avoid waxy taste. Chill time is crucial for texture and shape. Protein powder absorbency varies; spoon and level for best results. Can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for allergies. Optional add-ins include chopped nuts or seeds for crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin protein balls, no-bake snacks, healthy snacks, protein balls, pumpkin snacks, dark chocolate snacks, oat snacks, quick snacks, easy protein balls

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